Sample Letter to Veterinarian About a Bad Home Pet Euthanasia

Action to reduce traumatic incidents for pets and owners

The sample letter below is provided to assist you in addressing a euthanasia (or any other situation) that you consider unsatisfactory. If this doesn't result in resolution, it will be helpful to include it (or mention of it) in any complaint you may file with your veterinary exam board because they may want to know if you've done this. So retaining is copy in some form is advisable. It's best to address your letter to the clinic owner even if another staff member reformed the procedure because the owner is responsible for the actions of the staff and so will be the one to respond to any complaint. If the clinic owner can't be identified, simply address your message to the clinic.

A review of the principles of writing a letter to editor may be in order as many of them also apply here.

Dear Dr. ______ and Staff:

My name is __ . I'm contacting you regarding the euthanasia performed at our home on (date) by , members of your clinic staff. I thought it was unsatisfactory because

Please consider incorporating some new veterinary techniques into your clinic's practice, not just for your clients and patients, but for multiple benefits for your clinic and staff. The new veterinary techniques offered by the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy and the Low Stress Handling University are designed to eliminate distress and pain during euthanasia and handling. This euthanasia may have also been unpleasant for your staff to perform. I hope they haven't become used to causing the pain and distress that my animal companion and I experienced. Incorporating the techniques offered by the organizations mentioned above should all but eliminate the recurrence of this type of trauma. As it is now, the present standard euthanasia protocol seems to often preclude euthanasia which is defined as death without distress or pain, or more precisely in this case, to end distress and pain without increasing it.

The veterinary profession can be very difficult and stressful. It can also be likewise for caregivers of aging, ill or injured pets. Using the latest protocols and techniques such as those mentioned above as you pledged when you took the veterinarian oath can reduce the difficulty and stress for all involved.

My response to the traumatic event has been to assess the state of pet euthanasia. I've joined others in encouraging that veterinary schools include the techniques taught by the two above organizations into their curriculum on a required basis so that this failure is all but eliminated.

Please notify me if you plan to take any measures to reduce the chance of any recurrence of this type of event.

Sincerely,

__________

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DEDICATION:

This website is dedicated to Miss Kitty, Norma and Tinkerbell.

Norma and Miss Kitty Norma and Tinkerbell

(Dedication photos by Michael of PetEuthanasia.Info)

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